My salesman told me to watch out for the brake dust. He wasn't lying. I catch myself hosing it off every week. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to put on the rims for a little "protection"?

At this point I'm just hosing them down and rubbing off the dust. I do not have the chrome rims.

'04 Onyx SE DPP

Thanks in advance...

 

What brake dust? The '04MaxSE has the least brake dust problem -of all the car I've owned.
By the way, I just use water and carwash detergent to clean the wheel. And the SE wheels are so easy to clean.

 

Make sure you wax the rims. Put on a few coats and the brake dust will be much easier to remove. Use the same wax as you use on your car.

 

I agree, wheels hold up well, mad easy to clean, I spray on turtle wax wheel cleaner while washing, then use a micrfbiber cloth to wipe off crap. the wheel are so big you can even reach in and clean the inside of the wheel.

no problems here, they are elsewhere :-(

 

What is the stuff that car wash establishments use to remove brake dust?

 

jc53 - I'm not sure what the carwash folks use.

I have not noticed any brake dust on my SL wheels. But then I wash them so often, I probably don't give the dust a chance to collect. If the weather looks the least threatning, I use the '00 SE or the truck. That gives me longer breaks between Meguiar's NXT applications.

Like Chris-RI, I find I can put my hands thru between the spokes and clean anywhere I want.

While browsing at the dealer parts dept last week, I saw a product on the counter named 'wheel ice' or something like that. It is supposed to keep anything (especially brake dust) from sticking to wheels. I haven't tried it.

 

Agreed!.... Also, a coat of good wax on the rims always does wonders.

 

I wax the wheels on my SE with NXT and then use the small california duster to do the wheels - the 18's are large enough that the duster will reach to the back of the wheels from the front through the openings and get all of the dust off without leaving streaks on the wheels. Try it - it works great!

 

Thanks for the replies. I have to admit, these ARE the easiest rims I've had to clean. The brake dust on the back two aren't bad but the front two are keeping me busy.

I'll try the recommendations that you gave....

 

I am with what seems like most others. I don't really have a brake dust problem. But if I go down a gravel road that clings to the wheels.

But all is good after using Meguiars or Eagle 1 all wheel cleaners. Spray, wheel brush and rinse. I do it probably once every 3 weeks or so when I wash the car.

 

I don't see much brake dust on my front wheels.

IMO, amount of brake dust on wheels is depend on
quality of brake pads and driving habit.

 

hmmmm....since there is so little brake dust on these wheels compared to others we own and have owned (I agree with the comments), and since this car has chronic brake rotor warping problems, I wonder if the two are related.

Maybe the OEM pads are too hard....

 

Just a word of caution when cleaning your wheels. I was cleaning mine a couple weeks ago and when I was cleaning between the spokes, the top of my hand came into contact with something very sharp, looked like some kind of metal clip type thing. This thing left a deep 1 inch laceration on the top of my hand. Probably needed stitches but I just bandaged it up. Good thing I'm up-to-date on my tetnus shots. Watch out for it.

 

ahahaha...Yeah that damn thing got me too! Hurt like hell!

 

Get a wheel brush for getting inside the wheel. Duh. I use one up every year. It takes a beating around the caliper area. I'd rather pay $5 for a brush than get stiches. Ouch.

CM.

 

Good stuff. But let us know if you start foaming at the mouth !

Bob

 

Spray Nine seems to work really really well. I don't let it dry, just spray scrub and rinse quickly. I may stop buying expensive wheel cleaner and just use this stuff. Buy it in bulk, cut it in half with water, and it should be cheap and work like a charm.

CM.

 

Just don't get it on anything else (and don't let it sit).

That stuff will strip paint off a wall, and probably do a number on your tires.

 

Man dvsmaxxxxx u ruined a brand new max!!!! Those black rims have got to go dude, why would anyone do that to a black 04 max????????

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ! A lot of us like what dvsmaxxxxx has done to "his" car.

Bob

 

I hope it strips the old tire dressing off the tires.

I've got this Black Magic Tire Cleaner. And damn if it isn't the most toxic stuff I've ever used. Even a tiny bit of the overspray on my arm causes an instant burning sensation and a red rash. I'm no wuss about chemicals (oven cleaner and descaler doesn't bother me a bit) but this stuff is insane.

So I figure that the Spray Nine is not nearly as bad. And it kills HIV too. Now I have the peace of mind that HIV free rims and tires brings. lol

CM.

 

You want brake dust? Get a BMW.

Mike

 

Are you crazyyyyy!????!?!?!?!?!?!

 

Wow I ruined a brand new Max?!? Youre the first thats ever said such a thing about my Max. I get nothing but compliments galore each and everyday!!! To each his own opinion I guess!!!

 

Thanx Bob, I know theres always support coming from your way!

 

Ur right my opinion may be bias, just never knew why anyone would put black rims on a car, looks like they have 4 spares on, no? Anyways its a sweet car just would have went with something different than black for the rims personally...

 

agree with cj! (especially the part of the 4 spares!!!!!) its ure car dvs! but ....

 

yeah, but he doesn't have to worry about dust showing though.

My dust wipes off clean and easy with just a paper towel. Must be the great product I used to wash only once with. (she's 2 months old) I just hose her off and shammy dry. (or wipe with a mf in the rain and dries on own with no water spots) Always looks waxed afterwards. But no one will have faith in this product, they all laugh at me. Oh well, I'll just drive around with my spare time while you wash and wax.

 

whatttt?? that **** looks hot

 

I dont know....guess they just have to see it in person to understand!!!